Epics and the Epic Hero

1
Epics and the Epic Hero

• A WebQuest
• English 10Davidson

2
Objectives of this quest

• Through your participation in this quest, you
  will be working towards accomplishing the
  following objectives (or learning targets)
• Identify and apply knowledge of the epic hero
  characteristics and of an epic
• Identify and apply understanding of archetypes in
  literature
• Work collaboratively in a group towards meeting a
  common goal
• Work towards answering our Big Idea Question
  What makes someone a hero?

3
Webquest Introduction

• There are many epic heroes in literature.  In
  this WebQuest, you will be preparing to read
  Beowulf and working with material to help build
  your knowledge base for this epic poem, and about
  epic heroes.  The main objective of this quest is
  for you to be able to identify the
  characteristics of an epic and epic hero.  You
  will also become acquainted with some literary
  scholars views on archetypes and Joseph
  Campbells work on The Hero's Journey.

4
Beowulf Background

• First, before you dig into epic heroes, begin by
  searching out some answers to the following
  questions specifically about Beowulf
• 1. What language was Beowulf written in?
• 2. Is the hero Beowulf British, Scandinavian,
  or Danish?
• 3. How many copies of the Beowulf manuscript
  still exists?
• 4. Who is the author of Beowulf?
• 5. T or F Beowulf is the oldest surviving
  epic in British history?
• Check here http//www.lnstar.com/literature/beo
  wulf/

5
Webquest Tasks

• 1.  Define "epic," and identify three examples of
  epics.
• 2.  Find a valid, accurate definition and
  description of the epic hero and his
  characteristics.3.  Research and define
  archetype and explain how an epic hero fits
  this mold. 4.  Identify at least five epic
  heroes from literature. 5.  Research Joseph
  Campbell's ideas and descriptions on The
• Hero's Journey and note the key aspects of the
  Heros Journey (the steps a Hero follows).
• Prepare a PowerPoint slideshow that reports out
  your team
• findings to tasks 1-5. Include images of
  classic and/or modern epics and epic heroes you
  read about.  

6
The Tasks Contd
7.  Select a hero you researched/discovered above
(i.e. Harry Potter) and include in your
PowerPoint from Task 6, a slide or two that shows
how your hero fits the definition of an epic hero
(label or define out on the slide, based on your
definition and characteristics findings). 8. 
Include in your slide(s) a chart showing how your
hero follows his journey (based on Campbells
analysis).
7
The process

• Within your team, divide up tasks 1-5 to
  complete, then come back together to synthesize
  your findings into one team PowerPoint to
  complete tasks 6-8.
• The team PowerPoint needs to be saved in Mrs.
  Davidsons shared folder for your block, and you
  need to include ALL team members names, as well
  as your team name.
• The shared folder name and location for saving
  your PowerPoint will be provided in class.
• All slideshows will be viewed and shared with the
  whole class, either in class directly or via a
  post on Mrs. Davidsons Vision and Faculty
  website.
• Please make sure your presentation is neat,
  clean, easy on the eyes and not too overpowering
  in colors and graphics.

8
Suggested Links

• Below is a list of suggested links to help get
  you started, but you will also need to do some
  searching out on your own, and work with reliable
  websites. The Librarians will be sharing with
  you tips, tools and advice on how to accomplish
  this AND you have to complete ONE Website
  Evaluation Form. This will be submitted in hard
  copy.
• Epic Hero/Epic/Archetypes
• http//dictionary.reference.com/browse/epichero
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetype
• http//www.slideshare.net/esalona/elements-of-the-
  epic-epic-hero-6051693
• http//www.sblair.com/odyssey/epics.htm
• The Heros Journey, Joseph Campbell
• http//www.yourheroicjourney.com/the-heros-journey
  /
• http//hubcap.clemson.edu/sparks/sffilm/mmswtab.h
  tml
• http//rootsofaction.com/blog/role-of-heroes-for-c
  hildren/
• http//www.thewritersjourney.com/hero's_journey.ht
  m